The internet has been speculating wildly about what's next for Kojima Productions following the completion of Death Stranding. There are rumors about an Xbox console exclusive game, rumors that Kojima is involved with indie project Abandoned, and even rumors that Kojima is working in the Silent Hill franchise again. However, all along the answer may have been that Kojima Projections has decided to keep focusing on Death Stranding with a sequel. If actor Norman Reedus is to be believed, that's exactly what Kojima is planning.
Speaking during a round table press junket for the eleventh season of The Walking Dead, Reedus acknowledged Death Stranding 2's development seemingly without being prompted. "I think we're doing a second Death Stranding," said Reedus, who then said that he believed that his team was currently in negotiations to reprise his role as Death Stranding protagonist Sam Porter. Given Reedus is saying he's not officially signed on to the project yet, Death Stranding 2 is, if it even exists, a long way off from being officially announced.
Reedus is known to be a little leaky when it comes to his work with Hideo Kojima. Reedus was also planned to be the protagonist of Kojima's canceled Silent Hills project and when that project went up in smoke, confirmed future plans to work with Kojima on other projects. Death Stranding followed. Then, in 2020, following the release of Death Stranding, Reedus confirmed again that he was going to work with Kojima on "other stuff." Now, Reedus is saying he'll be working on Death Stranding 2.
To be clear, Reedus' comments are the first inkling that Kojima Productions will be working on a sequel to Death Stranding. As such, they're not necessarily an official confirmation. It's unlikely Reedus would be confused on the matter, however, given his friendship with Kojima and their past work together.
If there's any evidence that Kojima Productions is going to move forward with a Death Stranding sequel, it's likely to be found in the upcoming Death Stranding: Director's Cut release. The Director's Cut will introduce a variety of interesting new content, as well as new story missions that focus more heavily on combat. This past week's Gamescom trailer for the Death Stranding: Director's Cut practically screamed that there was more to come, but until it launches on September 24, it's a subject of speculation and nothing more.
The news that Kojima Productions is perhaps going to be working on a Death Stranding sequel is sure to be seen as controversial. Death Stranding was seen as artful by some, and unplayable by others. Many are already discussing why Kojima would want to continue the story from where it ended in Death Stranding. Given the imagination on display in the game, however, it seems likely that Kojima would be able to come up with something fans will be excited to experience in a Death Stranding sequel.
Death Stranding: Director's Cut releases September 24 on PS5.
Source: IGN Brazil, VG247